Chelle Bliss - Untangle Me

“I’ll be waiting for the call, and we’ll go file the restraining order immediately,” I said reaching out to shake their hands.

“One more question, gentleman,” Sophia said rising from her seat. “How long will this process take? Kayden has a pending background check and this is his first real shot of employment. It’s vital that it’s dealt with in a timely manner.” She was always confident and comfortable when talking to others.

“Mr. Haas will walk the paperwork to the judge’s office immediately and speak with her, he’ll let her know the importance of this being handled in a timely manner.”

“Can’t I ask Janet to do it for me?” Haas asked looking over at Ramirez obviously annoyed.

“You have a report with the judge, Haas, I would like you to do it. Explain the situation and you have an in-depth knowledge of both Ms. Jackson and Mr. Michaels.” Ramirez stated firmly.

“We will speak soon, Mr. Michaels,” Mr. Ramirez reaching out to shake my hand. I felt as if a giant weight lifted off my shoulders as I walked out the door to the probation office.

For a moment I felt hopeful, but not overly excited. The judge could still find me in violation and order my arrest immediately. I didn’t know what I’d do if I were arrested. Would Sophia leave me? She didn’t deserve this mess in her life, my mess. She’s good and innocent and didn’t understand how unforgiving the court system could be.

We filed for the temporary restraining order, giving the original printouts of the messages that Lisa had sent. She’d be served with the papers in the next couple of days and would have to stop or face being arrested. This might send her over the edge and a lump formed in my throat. I wanted to be free of her, but didn’t want her to go fucking whacko.

I fidgeted with my phone, keeping it in my hands, making sure I didn’t miss a call as Sophia drove towards home. “You’re going to make yourself nuts. Stop looking at it,” Sophia said.

“I’m so nervous, Sophia. What if I’m arrested... What would happen to us?” asked.

“That’s not going to happen, silly. The judge will see her for what she really is,” she reassured me.

My phone began to ring and I stared at it—afraid of the news I might hear.

“Pick it up, Kayden,” Sophia said as she smacked my arm to snap me out of my thoughts.

“Hello,” I said as I switched the phone to speaker.

“Kayden, I just heard back from the judge,” Haas stated.

“Okay … and?” I asked… why couldn’t he just blurt it out for shit’s sake?

“The judge has decided to end your probation due to financial hardship. She also took into consideration the harassment and statements made by Ms. Jackson… her willingness to forgive the remaining monies owed,” he stated.

“Wow, I can’t believe it. Thank you, Mr. Haas,” I said in disbelief.

“Your probation is officially over. The original ruling in your case was Adjudication of Guilt withheld until the terms of your probation were satisfied. It’s been converted to not guilty and you’re now free and clear,” Mr. Haas stated.

“I don’t know how to repay you,” I told him as tears formed in my eyes.

“You can repay me by never being placed on my caseload again, Mr. Michaels,” Mr. Haas said with a chuckle.

“I can do that, sir. Thank you, again,” I said wiping away a tear as it trickled down my cheek.

“Oh my God, Kayden, that’s amazing news. What a fucking relief,” Sophia said, her eyes glistening with emotion.

“Thank you for convincing me to talk with Mr. Haas. I might’ve been sitting in jail if it weren’t for you,” I told her as I kissing her fingers. I felt like I could breathe again. The black cloud had finally moved on. I was finally free of my past and the bitch.

An envelope arrived a week after his name was cleared and record wiped clean. “Open it,” I said watching him tap it on the countertop.

“I’m scared, Sophia… What if they did it before my probation was over? It’s the only interview I’ve had, and I want it so badly.”

I pulled on the envelope, “I’ll open it then,” I said.

“No,” he said tearing open the envelope. He read the pages without speaking and I couldn’t tell by his face what they contained.

“Well?” I asked.

“Wow,” he said with a look of disbelief, still staring at the papers.

“What?” I asked. He was making me crazy.

“It shows no criminal record of any kind… It doesn’t even show an arrest,” he said as he stared at the pages.

“Does that mean you have the job? Did they search Florida?” I said still shocked by the news.

“Yes, I’ll be hired. The FBI did the search, and they looked everywhere in the United States—driving record and criminal,” he said, a smile creeping across his face.

Kayden dropped the papers lifting me into his arm. I laughed as he turned in a circle kissing my face. The excitement radiated off him and became infectious. “I can’t believe it, Sophia. I have a job—finally a job. I can feel like a man again,” Kayden said. Tears of joy formed in his beautiful green eyes.

“You’ve always been a man, Kayden, my man… You’ve never changed in my eyes. When I need you, I’m sure you’ll be there to help me and protect me. That’s what people do when they love each other. We’re a team, and you’ll never be alone again,” I told holding his chin so he could look into my eyes.

“I love you, Sophia. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a wonderful woman in my life,” he said as a tear slid down his cheek.

My heart melted with his words. I kissed his lips, wrapping my arms tighter around his neck. Kayden had been lost for months—always there for me physically, but his mind was elsewhere. He needed a purpose in life.

“Kayden, I’m blessed to have you in my life. You’ve definitely brought excitement and new experiences,” I said into his shirt. I thought about all the possibilities that he had now; it meant that he could go back to New Orleans. The thought of losing him caused my stomach to twist in knots. Would he go back to that glorious city and the work he loved so much, or would he stay with me and start a new beginning?

“Kayden, you know that means you can go back to NOLA and your old job. Do you want to go back?” I said to him as I backed away so I could see his face when he answered.

“Sophia, I’m not going anywhere. I can’t be without you for a couple hours, let alone weeks. How could you even think I could just pack up and leave you behind?” he asked as he stroked my cheek with his hand, looking like I just stabbed him in the heart.

“I know you loved that job and you miss New Orleans. I just thought maybe.” His finger touched my lips stopping me from finishing the rest of the sentence.

“Yes, I love New Orleans and maybe we can move there someday, but you’re my home, Sophia. I need to be with you. I want to be with you. I need you to sleep in my arms each night and make love to you each day,” Kayden said as he stepped closer, embracing me in his arms. I exhaled not realizing I held my breath waiting for his answer.

“I just want you happy, Kayden. I want you to be at peace. I know you’ve struggled with happiness over the last few months,” Concern and worry filled my voice and the feeling nearly suffocated me. He had become my world… We did everything together. I don’t know if I could even function without him anymore. Could I go back to evening web chats and text messages as the main form of communication? I didn’t want to find out the answer to that question.